[News] With the 16th OA pick, the Flames select D Juuso Valimaki

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I feel like people are putting too much into his production. While that usually means is there's a good chance that he makes it to the NHL and plays a real role, it doesn't necessarily translate to being an offensive defenseman at the NHL level. Look at Hamonic, he was a PPG defender in his last year of junior. Scouting offensive potential from the blue line still seems to be largely an eye test thing, a skill evaluation rather than looking at point totals. You never know how guys will develop, but I think people who are looking at this as a future Dougie Hamilton type of player are likely to find those expectations don't match reality.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I feel like people are putting too much into his production. While that usually means is there's a good chance that he makes it to the NHL and plays a real role, it doesn't necessarily translate to being an offensive defenseman at the NHL level. Look at Hamonic, he was a PPG defender in his last year of junior. Scouting offensive potential from the blue line still seems to be largely an eye test thing, a skill evaluation rather than looking at point totals. You never know how guys will develop, but I think people who are looking at this as a future Dougie Hamilton type of player are likely to find those expectations don't match reality.

The way I look at it, a point/game production in Juniour for a defenseman in his draft year would appear to translate into a fairly high probability that he will play in the top-four at the NHL level. I agree, offensive output in juniour does not necessarily translate into NHL offensive output, but what it does indicate is a higher than average hockey IQ in most cases.

[red sky]

Because if he ends up with with a ceiling like Travis Hamonic then we would be pleased as punch. I would much rather a defenseman putting up a PPG in junior than not. Those who do not put up quality numbers in junior tend to struggle to make the NHL, regardless if he ends up being an offensive style d-man.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Hamonic produced roughly a third of Valimaki's output in their respective draft years, however. Not to heighten expectations on Valimaki, but I would think his offensive ceiling is considerably higher than Hamonic's. I wouldn't necessarily expect Hamilton numbers out of him, but I would expect him to produce at the NHL level.

[cannon7]

It is difficult to interpret, but from the sounds of things, the consistency criticism of Valimaki is mostly regarding his offensive production. Which is pretty amazing since he was a point-per-game producer this season. Defensively I think Valimaki is much more consistent. So a point-per-game player who can disappear offensively from time to time but is otherwise defensively sound is a solid pick at 16 overall IMO.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The way I look at it, a point/game production in Juniour for a defenseman in his draft year would appear to translate into a fairly high probability that he will play in the top-four at the NHL level. I agree, offensive output in juniour does not necessarily translate into NHL offensive output, but what it does indicate is a higher than average hockey IQ in most cases.

I believe this is exactly right. Well put.

[Love]

The more I look into this pick, the more I realize this kid has star potential. The poise he has with the puck on his stick is incredible.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I feel like people are putting too much into his production. While that usually means is there's a good chance that he makes it to the NHL and plays a real role, it doesn't necessarily translate to being an offensive defenseman at the NHL level. Look at Hamonic, he was a PPG defender in his last year of junior. Scouting offensive potential from the blue line still seems to be largely an eye test thing, a skill evaluation rather than looking at point totals. You never know how guys will develop, but I think people who are looking at this as a future Dougie Hamilton type of player are likely to find those expectations don't match reality.

Wait let me get this straight. Corsi guy who reads too much into most stats tells us to ignore the most poignant stat of them all, point production? That's rich

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Wait let me get this straight. Corsi guy who reads too much into most stats tells us to ignore the most poignant stat of them all, point production? That's rich

That is not what he said.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I feel like people are putting too much into his production.

to be fair, scoring a point per game has been really rare for defensemen in their draft year. Valimaki is only the 5th defenseman to do in the last five years. The only other one in the WHL was Ivan Provorov.

2013-14 Anthony DeAngelo - Sarnia (OHL) - 51 games, 15-56-71
2014-15 Ivan Provorov - Brandon (WHL) - 60 games, 15-46-61
2014-15 Mitchell Vande Sompel - Oshawa (OHL) - 58 games, 12-51-63
2015-16 Samuel Girard - Shawinigan (QMJHL) - 67 games, 10-64-74
2016-17 Juuso Valimaki - Tri-City (WHL) - 60 games, 19-42-61

Now does that mean a lot for Valimaki? Probably not. Some great prospects just fell short and were in the .9 PPG range in their draft year (Ekblad, Theodore, Bean etc), but it's still extremely impressive. Especially since he has the size and skillset to be an impact player on the NHL level, in contrast to undersized defensemen on that list like Vande Sompel and Girard.

[Tinordi]

What's the rub with Valimaki? His numbers look great, scouting reports are excellent, why did he drop to 16th?

[Mattman]

Excited for the prospect rankings this summer to see where Valimaki sits

[Beninho]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

What's the rub with Valimaki? His numbers look great, scouting reports are excellent, why did he drop to 16th?

Probably because he's not as flashy as some of the other Dmen but he seems to be just as effective, one of his main strong points is he really doesn't have a weakness which leads me to believe there is a hell of a lot of potential there. Again Chabot fell to 18 which now seems insane, Valimaki has been highly rated this entire year but never really had the hype of a Makar or Heiskanen. A lot of people are applauding Vegas for picking Brannstrom but I find that pick to be a huge risk. Kid is only 5'9 which is crazy, Valimaki could've easily went higher then several players that went in the top 10. Again this draft was very murkey after the top 4 but the flames were able to get one of the safer and in my opinion better D man in the first round. I believe Valimaki is right up there with the top 2 Dmen in this draft and superior to Foote and Brannstrom who went ahead of him. Was very surprised he didn't go to Tampa, while Vegas was obviously going for the guy with biggest boom factor being Brannstrom, but I don't agree with that as Valimaki has all the tools that make him a superior prospect to both Foote and Brannstrom imo. Was actually quite shocked Brannstrom went before him. Kid is Johnny size on defense and has never played NA hockey. These types of Dmen look great playing on big ice and at international competitions but it's hard for me to fathom a 5'9 player on D that isn't gonna get manhandled in the NHL unless he somehow has super strength I'm not aware of.

[Since1984]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

What's the rub with Valimaki? His numbers look great, scouting reports are excellent, why did he drop to 16th?

He isn't as flashy or as quick as many if the highly ranked Dmen in this draft year. I would guess he translates to a mid pairing defenceman while majority of the D in the draft were quick, high offense d that had a decently rounded game ala Karlsson.

[Stay Golden]

This was a one hell of a nice pick for 16. I would say we had some luck on our side. I thought he would have been gone by 11, 12 by LA or PHI. I think this is one that fell into our lap, a case of good fortune.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

What's the rub with Valimaki? His numbers look great, scouting reports are excellent, why did he drop to 16th?

Because other teams fell in love with different guys. Doesn't have to be a slight on Valimaki. Flames had him top 11.

[Love]

Besides Liljegren/Valimaki another comparison to follow closely over the next couple years will be Foote/Valimaki. Both WHL guys, Foote a little bigger and slower and less offensively skillful. I think we got the better player.

[StrykerSteve]

Fan960 had his GM on the air in the last hour, he raved about him, mentioned he QBs their PP and plays a smart, mistake-free game. Likes to join the rush and is physically very mature. Wears an A for the team and is next in line to be the Captain. Speaks really good English, which made the transition to North American hockey much easier for him.

Torie Peterson from CalgaryFlames.com was on after him, and said she was blown away by how well-spoken and physically mature he is, thinks he's more NHL ready than most of the prospects that went in this year's draft. Says he never panics on the ice and makes everyone around him calmer under pressure. Always makes the right play.

By all accounts, his goal is to make the Flames this year or next.

Love what I'm hearing about this guy.

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Fan960 had his GM on the air in the last hour, he raved about him, mentioned he QBs their PP and plays a smart, mistake-free game. Likes to join the rush and is physically very mature. Wears an A for the team and is next in line to be the Captain. Speaks really good English, which made the transition to North American hockey much easier for him.

Torie Peterson from CalgaryFlames.com was on after him, and said she was blown away by how well-spoken and physically mature he is, thinks he's more NHL ready than most of the prospects that went in this year's draft. Says he never panics on the ice and makes everyone around him calmer under pressure. Always makes the right play.

By all accounts, his goal is to make the Flames this year or next.

Love what I'm hearing about this guy.

Sounds like Kulak, Andersson and Kylington could be pressured by Valimaki sooner than they may think for a slot with the Flames. This is a good thing as it forces all these emerging d-men to up their game.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by StrykerSteve

Torie Peterson from CalgaryFlames.com was on after him, and said she was blown away by how well-spoken and physically mature he is, thinks he's more NHL ready than most of the prospects that went in this year's draft.

Which shouldn't be surprising since he's one of the oldest players in the draft. He missed the cutoff for last year's draft by three weeks.


Training camp should be fun with so many good young defencemen potentially pushing for a spot (and there should be at least one spot available).